Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

[CapitalsCupReality]

I mean we all know it wouldn’t hurt, it just isn’t the likely path for Leonard from what we have seen so far. Unless he totally flops, he’s getting a spot to stay here.

I just want him to spend some time playing with Ovechkin. Soak it all up in the playoffs and next year…

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Anyone recognize these lil guys?
Duhaime & Chychrun

 

[wickedwitch]

I mean we all know it wouldn’t hurt, it just isn’t the likely path for Leonard from what we have seen so far. Unless he totally flops, he’s getting a spot to stay here.

I just want him to spend some time playing with Ovechkin. Soak it all up in the playoffs and next year…

Yep. He isn't going to the AHL next season. He will get treated differently from all our other prospects in recent years for two reasons:
1) He is a better D+2 player. He was typically considered a top 10 prospect for the entire NHL before this season. There are a good number of people (who have no connection with the Caps) that think Leonard is currently the best player not in the NHL. McMike and Miro weren't on his level at that age, and it's not particularly close.
2) The team sees him as the next face of the franchise post-Ovi and probably the eventual captain after Wilson. So: a) they're going to want a full season of Ovi mentoring and b) they're going to want a full season of Ovi/Leonard footage. (I can already see the promotional photos of Ovi and him from the back.)

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

Assuming 8 comes back and plays at the level he left off, I’m curious where/what you think this team adds at the deadline?

 

[Brian23]

I don't know if I want them spending to add, but assuming they do it should still be a forward. Maybe you argue the top 6 is locked in, but I'd prefer that. Probably someone who can play on the 3rd line and play up if necessary.

That is assuming one of Vrana/Lapierre/Milano don't really lock that spot down over the next couple months.

 

[Todd Lazarchick]

I don't know if I want them spending to add, but assuming they do it should still be a forward. Maybe you argue the top 6 is locked in, but I'd prefer that. Probably someone who can play on the 3rd line and play up if necessary.

That is assuming one of Vrana/Lapierre/Milano don't really lock that spot down over the next couple months.

Agreed. I don’t really see a spot that’s a must upgrade at this point. But I was curious what others think.

 

[um]

Anyone recognize these lil guys?
Duhaime & Chychrun
View attachment 937005
View attachment 937004

Duhaime and Chychrun! Saw somewhere recently that they played together as kids.

Also saw last night that Raddyish is related to… Raddyish! Mind blown.

Agreed. I don’t really see a spot that’s a must upgrade at this point. But I was curious what others think.

4RD for me. I like McIlrath, but it seems he’s stapled to the bench when he’s played.

I don’t think we have many holes to fill, just want to have depth for a deep run.

 

[Holtbyisms]

I think Leonard is looking good and on the right trajectory but a lot of you are going to be a little discouraged if you're expecting him to come in and be a top six player day one. Don't be surprised if he gets some time in the AHL. We heard the same story about Rutger Mcgroarty. He can't even crack a NHL worst Penguins team. He'll get a chance and some games to get him signed and under team control but then he's at the mercy of the team and he'll need to earn his NHL ice time.

 

[g00n]

Lenny? Leno?

Lendog?

 

[DWGie26]

Assuming 8 comes back and plays at the level he left off, I’m curious where/what you think this team adds at the deadline?

hard to say right now. I like our lineup and we need some players to develop or continue to develop their chemistry. I do think we may need some veteran depth but not until the TDL.

I think there will be some in and out on forward ranks. Vrana, Milano, and Mangi are all candidates to be moved out. Can’t move them all unless you bring in the same number. I can see us moving one and brining in 2.

I don’t think we’ll do anything with goaltending or Dee. We have 8 Dee in washington (with a tremendously solid top 6). Bear can come up from AHL for veteran depth. We’ll figure out next years goaltending by resigning one or both between January and offseason. But neither are getting moved.

 

[Jags]

Lenny? Leno?

Lendog?

Leo, probably?

The Nard Dog

 

[Ridley Simon]

Assuming 8 comes back and plays at the level he left off, I’m curious where/what you think this team adds at the deadline?

Not much. Upgrade in the F’s (Mangiapane? Vrana?) or the 7th and 8th D?

But unless we get a LTIR happening to someone that playing now — not a lot to do, honestly.

 

[max21]

Fehervary has quietly been solid this year. Aight later

 

[895]

I can see why someone would have wanted Marner before this season started but now with how CMM, Protas and Strome have evolved there’s just no chance.

 

[Silky mitts]

Assuming 8 comes back and plays at the level he left off, I’m curious where/what you think this team adds at the deadline?

I nope they get at least one goalie extended and trade Mangiapane at 50% retained for a decent return to clear room for a younger player #trusttheprocess

 

[Ridley Simon]

I nope they get at least one goalie extended and trade Mangiapane at 50% retained for a decent return to clear room for a younger player #trusttheprocess

If they are top 4 in the East (or squarely in a playoff spot), I see ZERO chance they sell at the deadline.

I could see Mangie going for an upgrade. But that’s it.

 

[Devil Dancer]

With the current structure, if they're healthy close to the TDL the only upgrade I see that would significantly improve their chances in the playoffs is PLD, and that's not happening.

He's been pretty good, better than expected overall, but not a top 6 C on a Cup team.

So I'd probably horde nuts for this season and draft a high upside C with the first if they're close to BPA.

 

[tycoonheart]

McMichael is playing at such a high level though. Honestly, he is the one who makes that line go.

 

[stephenball]

McMichael is playing at such a high level though. Honestly, he is the one who makes that line go.

I think him playing wing has really let his speed shine. But who knows for the future. Although he’s now definitely looking like a top-6 player, and with two big centers already under contract for a long time continuing on the wing might be his spot.

 

[um]

With the current structure, if they're healthy close to the TDL the only upgrade I see that would significantly improve their chances in the playoffs is PLD, and that's not happening.

He's been pretty good, better than expected overall, but not a top 6 C on a Cup team.

So I'd probably horde nuts for this season and draft a high upside C with the first if they're close to BPA.

I don’t think PLD is too far off recent Stanley Cup winning 2Cs.

2024: Bennett
2023: Stephenson/Karlsson
2022: Kadri
2020/2021: Cirelli
2019: Schenn

If anything we’re missing an elite 1C. But I think the emphasis on individuals is over blown, its not basketball.

Depth is the most important thing, and right now we have a damn strong 2nd line with McMichael and Wilson on PLDs wings.

 

[Nogatco Rd]

I think Leonard is looking good and on the right trajectory but a lot of you are going to be a little discouraged if you're expecting him to come in and be a top six player day one. Don't be surprised if he gets some time in the AHL. We heard the same story about Rutger Mcgroarty. He can't even crack a NHL worst Penguins team. He'll get a chance and some games to get him signed and under team control but then he's at the mercy of the team and he'll need to earn his NHL ice time.

I don't necessarily disagree but Leonard has a much better pedigree than McGroarty, who went 14th in a weak draft. There are years where Leonard would have been a top 3-4 pick.

I'd expect Leonard to at least start in the NHL.

 

[zappa4ever]

TDL is Mar 7 after gm 62

we've got 40 more gms to see how everyone's developing and then the injury situation at that time

at this point, Vrana/Milano/McIlrath look like the least necessary pieces, I'm in no hurry to consider much more than that rn

 

[tycoonheart]

I don’t think PLD is too far off recent Stanley Cup winning 2Cs.

2024: Bennett
2023: Stephenson/Karlsson
2022: Kadri
2020/2021: Cirelli
2019: Schenn

If anything we’re missing an elite 1C. But I think the emphasis on individuals is over blown, its not basketball.

Depth is the most important thing, and right now we have a damn strong 2nd line with McMichael and Wilson on PLDs wings.

I look at the line as a whole. Is the top line with a healthy Ovi playing like they are a top line? Is the 2nd line playing like a 2nd line? Hell we have 2 lines that are playing like top lines!

 

[Roshi]

TDL is Mar 7 after gm 62

we've got 40 more gms to see how everyone's developing and then the injury situation at that time

at this point, Vrana/Milano/McIlrath look like the least necessary pieces, I'm in no hurry to consider much more than that rn

Yeah, way too early.

Looking right now, only route that really makes sense is ”do absolutely nothing”. Front office could just check the calendar and go on holidays until game 50.

They are playing well. They are gelling well. The cohesion is great. They look to be having fun too. Do_not_mess_that_up with some lateral ”small upgrade”. It can as easily mix things down to worse as it can boost some small advantages.

Something short term, or small upgrade and the way the team is working together currently - Just a risk not worth spending assets for. And the kind of player the risk would be worth taking is likely not going to be avaivable and/or will cost more than we would want to caugh up at this point of ”the gr8 r3-tool”.

+ we already did the one logical TDL move. Really liked the aggressiveness to address a ”hole”. In case of long term injuries or someone completely tuning out, i wouldnt be suprised to see this happen again. Why wait, theres a lot of positive sides to react fast than let the ”problems” pile on.

 

[Lou Sassole]

I think Leonard is looking good and on the right trajectory but a lot of you are going to be a little discouraged if you're expecting him to come in and be a top six player day one. Don't be surprised if he gets some time in the AHL. We heard the same story about Rutger Mcgroarty. He can't even crack a NHL worst Penguins team. He'll get a chance and some games to get him signed and under team control but then he's at the mercy of the team and he'll need to earn his NHL ice time.

I agree with you on the top six, but Leonard is a way better prospect than Mcgroarty is. He skates much better, and has out produced him pretty substantially when they were at similar levels. He also plays a much more complete game than Mcgroarty. I think they try him on the 3rd line if/when he turns pro at the end of the year, and may or may not be a healthy scratch in the playoffs. I worry about him getting blown up at this level, because it happens too much in college. So I wouldn't be disappointed if he spent time in the AHL, I just think the team is gonna give him a lot of rope before it sends him down. Part of Mcgroarty's problem in Pitt, is their head coach treats young guys like Laviolette did.